This
program is merely an extension of other informal programs that have been
facilitated historically via chat page conversations, e-mail, Loonion web site, phone conversations, or word of
mouth.There is no formal club.There are no by-laws.Unlike some hiking or ski clubs, there is no
formal governing body.This also means
there are no “trip leaders”, only “activity coordinators”.Activity coordinators are individuals that
propose an activity.Those that choose
to participate in a scheduled activity assume all the risks and obligations
that would accrue to any person that elects to enter the backcountry of one of
the subject national parks or other public lands nearby solo.

Why
is this the case?First, because most activities will take place in a national park, we
must carefully avoid any semblance of fees being paid or compensation being
given.This could run us afoul of rigid
rules governing concessionaire permits.In the case of YellowstoneNational Park, no new
permits have been issued in recent years.Reimbursement of a portion of the reservation fee on backcountry camping
site reservations and reimbursement of some of the cost of gas in car pooling
scenarios would not constitute “compensation” for purposes of being considered
a concessionaire.Second, hiking clubs
and ski clubs throughout the United
States have seen progressively more
litigation at the hands of members and guests, in spite of the use of liability
waivers and insurance for those that lead activities.

We
are strictly individuals who share a common interest and are utilizing a
sophisticated technological tool to enable the sharing of that interest.

II.)SAFETY

A.)Be
bear aware.If you are less than 100% confident in your
understanding of how to behave in grizzly country, visit this web site:

B.)“10 Essentials” – Most hiking clubs have embraced
this way of thinking to help insure members do not forget items critical for
survival.The list changes from group to
group, geography to geography, and from time to time.Many people will add a few other items.Here is our best stab at a list appropriate
to YellowstoneNational Park:

1)Water – bring more than you think you need
(at least 2 liters or quarts).Bringing
a filter can alleviate the need to carry extraordinary amounts of water, but
make sure there will be accessible water available to filter.Electrolyte replacement drinks (like
Gatorade, PowerAde, etc.) are OK, but not in large quantities.For most activities, they should not be used
until at least 2 hours into the activity, and then they should be diluted at
least 50%.Avoid bringing anything
sugary, like soft drinks or lemonade.They can actually backfire and make you more thirsty.For multi-day trips, having a backup, like
iodine tablets, in the event of a water filter failure can be invaluable.

2)Lunch,
plus extra food – no
lectures here, other than to use common sense. In summer, chocolate can make a melted mess in
your pack in hot weather. Some items (including certain candy bars) have a
habit of freezing as hard as a brick under winter conditions.Carbohydrates and fruits are good options.

3)Rain
gear for summer ventures
– Regardless of the weather when you leave the trailhead, you may need that
breathable, rain repellant outer layer later in the day. It commonly clouds up
and storms in the afternoon throughout the northern Rockies.Gore-tex or some
other effective PTFE membrane-equipped jacket and pants are appropriate.Some manufacturers use coatings.Just make sure the garment is “breathable”
and “rain repellant”.

4)Extra layers of clothing – important
for both summer and winter.Most summer
treks will only require a wool or synthetic (fleece) shirt in addition to rain
gear.In winter, you want a head to foot
additional layer available.

Keep in mind:COTTON
KILLS!Cotton does not insulate when
wet.This is not the place to go hiking
in a cotton t-shirt and blue jeans.Look
around.What is everybody else
wearing?Almost all backcountry veterans
these days are making use of the newer garments made of hydrophobic (water
repelling) fabric.If this is new
information to you, visit a sporting goods store that caters to backpackers,
backcountry skiers, canoers, climbers, hikers,
etc.Ask for help with acquiring
clothing made with synthetics.In
winter, most folks opt for a 3 layer system, utilizing insulated underwear made
of hydrophobic material like capilene, polypropylene
or thermax.It
insulates while wicking moisture away from the skin.The next layer is typically an insulating
layer of fleece or wool, something that insulates, even when wet.Ideally, that layer should continue the
transport of moisture to the outer layer.The outer layer is typically a shell of some sort, made of a breathable,
moisture repellant membrane coupled with a tough outer shell and an inner
lining.Gloves should be a combination
of an insulating layer anda breathable fabric. Gore-tex and Thinsulate are common
glove component layers.A wool or
synthetic hat completes the ensemble.

5)Means of starting a fire –
waterproof matches and a cigarette lighter are appropriate, along with an
initial fuel.I used to carry Fire
Ribbon, but found out in a Wilderness First Responder class that duct tape
works just as well (got to test it under real winter conditions).Duct tape can also come in handy for a myriad
of other applications, including first aid and constructing victim transport.

6)Sunglasses (goggles in winter),
sunscreen, and a hat.If you need
an explanation, you’ve already spent too much time in the sun.

7)Pocket knife – Second
only to duct tape in its versatility as a tool in emergencies

8)First aid kit

9)Compass and/or GPS and map – If you get
separated from the group, you may find this a critical need.These items can’t help you if you don’t know
how to use them!

10)Pepper spray – If you
don’t know what this is for, revisit the link in II-A.

11)Flashlight or Head Lamp –
preferably waterproof, with spare batteries. Hopefully, you will never need it,
but ask anyone that has been delayed reaching the exit trailhead until after
dark, and you will hear about how important this item is. (Thanks to Tom
Carter, author of Day Hiking Yellowstone, for reviewing this material and
suggesting this important addition.)

It
is important that every individual that hits the trail have the 11 Essentials
in their pack or on their person.If you
get separated from the main party it won’t do much good if someone else is
carrying your rain gear, water, food, pepper spray, ……………….Here’s a simple protocol to follow when
packing for day hikes or ski/snowshoe days.“If you had to spend the night in the backcountry unexpectedly, could
you do it in relative comfort.”

C.)Comfort
– these are items beyond the 11 Essentials that might not save your life,
but might make a world of difference in how you feel at the end of the
day.In some cases, they could even save
your life or somebody else’s.

1)A
pack appropriate to the mission
– Occasionally, I see someone laboring up a trail using an external frame
backpack for a day hike.Packs are like
houses.Your possessions expand to fill
the available space.Just bring what is
necessary. At the same time, having a comfortable, well-fitting pack can make a
world of difference in your ability to complete the trek and feel good about
it.This is not the place to argue the
merits of ultra light packing, external vs. internal frame backpacks, or built-in
versus ancillary camelbacks.If you need
a pack, consult the pros at a retail establishment like EMS
or REI.

2)Boots – Remember the statement that “a
pound on your feet is like 5 pounds on your back”.Actually, recent research has refined that
equation to be “one pound on your feet is equivalent to 6.4 pounds on your
back”.Of course, basketball players
have been known to wear weights on their ankles in practice, so if it’s a short
hike and you want to train for something big, go ahead and wear those 5
pounders.I haven’t worn a non-Goretex boot since about 1980.Just remember, don’t wear Goretex boots in thermal mud.I ruined two pairs of Danner Lights walking
through thermal mud in Yellowstone.Also, if there will be a river ford in your
future, bring something for the occasion.I used to bring old tennies until a few years
back, when I almost landed in Winter Creek after slipping on a river rock.Now I bring river shoes, designed for such
work.Winter demands a whole suite of
different footwear, depending on what you will be doing.Most skiers have one set of boots for
striding and specialized boots for skating.I have several different pairs of insulated boots available for simply
hanging around the roadside watching wildlife.Snowshoeing implies more activity, which means less need for insulation
“while moving”.Weight can make a big
difference in your ability to maneuver on snowshoes.Stay with wool or synthetic socks that will
wick away moisture and still provide warmth, even when wet.Don’t forget gaiters for virtually all winter
activities.They even come in handy in
the summer for negotiating wet vegetation.The fellow that led the way for us up ChawPass
in the summer of 2002 gathered so much moisture on his pants, socks, and boots
from the dew-laden plants along the trail that he had to stop on top of the
pass to dry his boots and socks!

3)Foot
care remedies – Bring
what works for you.I routinely carry an
assortment of Dr. Scholl’s corn pads and other circular pads to deal with hot
spots.For the serious stuff, I carry
moleskin.I’ve never had to use the
moleskin on myself, but I’ve sure made a few other people’s day by pulling it
out for them miles from the trailhead.

4)Hot
pads or HotHandsä for winter (or even cold, wet spring
roadsides) – These
little wonders of chemistry can last for hours.We found a box of 40 pairs at Costco real cheap.Just put them in your gloves or the toe of
your boots.

5)Walking
or hiking sticks –
Today’s version of that venerable old standby can make a profound difference in
hiking comfort.Spring for the shock
absorber-equipped version for a real treat.Don’t go cheap on this item!Quality counts.There is no end
to the potential uses for these gems.They are invaluable for crossing streams on logs or rocks.They can help transfer some of the weight off
your feet, particularly on downhill stretches, where they do wonders for
problem knees.Some folks carry little
attachments that turn them into monopods.Telescopic poles can be valuable components of a litter used to
transport an injured party.

6)Insulating
pad – Invaluable in
winter for providing a dry warm place to sit while eating lunch or taking a
break, they weigh very little and can be strapped to the outside of a
pack.Some folks even bring them in the
spring and summer.

7)Toilet paper in a waterproof bag – For treks above treeline,
you might consider a ziplock bag to carry out used
toilet paper and feces.

D.)Coping with other hazards

1)Other
wildlife – Besides
bears, there are all sorts of other critters that you might encounter in the
backcountry.Some can kill you if you’re
not careful.

a.)Bison – These gnarly beasts are responsible
for more injuries annually in Yellowstone than
the bears.They are big and they can
move fast. I have been charged by both a bison and a grizzly.They are equally scary. Give bison a wide
berth, particularly cows with calves and the old bachelor bulls.With the arrival of wolves, there is a new
threat to be wary of.If you are
peacefully walking through a meadow with a herd of bison grazing peacefully
nearby and a group of wolves show up, be ready for something out of Dances
with Wolves.I’ve seen bison take
off running when spooked by wolves.I
wouldn’t want to be in their way.

b.)Moose – Everybody wants to see one, but
many people are unaware just how dangerous this species can be.A cow moose with a calf might take exception
to your crowding them to get a photo.You
wouldn’t want a bull to mistake you for a rival during the rut (or a cow for
that matter).Steer clear and stay alive.

c.)Elk – Surprised that this critter made
number 3 on the list?You wouldn’t be if
you spent much time around Mammoth during the rut.We had one bull spearing cars with his
antlers one fall a few years ago.Visitors have been treed by irate cows with calves.I’ve been bluff-charged countless times by
cow elk in Mammoth just trying to do my job.If you ever happen upon a newborn elk calf laying in the grass or
sagebrush, leave it alone.Their mothers
commonly leave them that way while they wander off to graze.The newborns are scentless.Their mothers know they are relatively safe
from predators when they stay hunkered down in the vegetation.

d.)Rattlesnakes – There is a small population of
prairie rattlesnakes in the lowest elevation part of Yellowstone,
near Gardiner and the North Entrance.They are not particularly aggressive, but should be avoided.

e.)Canids
– There are both coyotes and grey wolves in Yellowstone.Some visitors believe they could be attacked
by them.The only incidents I am aware
of in Yellowstone involving canid attacks on humans have been a few isolated instances
of chronic begging coyotes nipping at someone that got too close while feeding
them.If you were to get seriously
attacked by a coyote or a wolf in the backcountry you would have the solace of
knowing your circumstance was sufficiently rare that you could probably auction
off the movie rights to your story for enough moola
to pay your hospital bills AND seriously upgrade your lifestyle.

2)Insect
issues – One could
argue that these belong under safety, and it would be hard to refute that
proposition, particularly considering the growing risk associated with encountering
two of our subject critters.Bring
insect repellant.

a.)Ticks – These little pests hang out on the
branches and leaves of vegetation waiting for unwary mammals to walk by.They are nature’s consummate
hitchhikers.Thankfully, their presence
tends to peak early in the season. Prime time to be concerned with ticks is
spring and early summer.There are two
types of diseases you can contract from ticks.The really dangerous variety is Rocky Mountain Spotted
Fever.Visit the linked CDC web
site for information on this rare, but serious disease.

Off-trail activities in May and June
tend to increase the tick hazardmarkedly.We make an extra effort to wear light
clothing (so ticks show up much easier), minimize contact with branches, brush,
and leaves, and conduct extensive tick checks afterward.Tonya recommends spraying the bottom of pants
with a REPEL insect block.She does that
and has never picked up a tick.Our
experience over decades of hiking in the Rockies
tells us that it is not uncommon for a tick to hitch a ride, then
bail out in our vehicle or in our home.I hate to say it, but you have to maintain vigilance for days after a
backcountry outing in tick season.Thankfully, Lyme Disease has not made its way
to this part of the U.S.

b.)Mosquitoes – Until recently these “winged
assassins” were no more than a transient nuisance in the northern Rockies.In the
summer of 2002 the first cases of West Nile Virus showed up in Montana and Wyoming.The game has changed.It may not be acceptable to let these minute
felons have their way with you.There
are a number of steps you can take to minimize your attractiveness to these
pests.One is to wear light clothing.There is some evidence that they are more
attracted to darker colors.Light
clothing also serves the same purpose it does with regard to ticks.It makes them easier to see.Another item within your control is to stay
away from colognes and perfumes.Research indicates mosquitoes are attracted by many of the scents that
we humans splash on ourselves.Use an
insect repellant.Only you can determine
what you are comfortable with.Many
people swear by high concentrations of DEET.Others have abandoned the use of DEET due to the unpleasant impact it
can have on some plastic and rubber materials. (It has been known to literally melt certain
materials.)The downside risk associated
with the West Nile Virus has prompted the Center for Disease Control (CDC) to
recommend the use of DEET:

Research has shown that mosquitoes are attracted by carbon dioxide in high
concentrations.The exhaled breath of
their targets tends to be rich in CO2.If you can hold your breath for hours they just might not find you.

c.)Bees/wasps – The northern Rockies
have their share of stinging insects, but not in numbers any greater than most
places.The only people who have cause
to be concerned are those who are prone to anaphylaxis.Hopefully, you know who you are and know to
bring an Epi-pen or something similar with you in the
event of an allergic reaction to a sting.

3)Altitude
sickness – This
curious little ailment can strike virtually anyone, regardless of their
physical condition.It can also trouble
those who have been at altitude regularly in the past with no apparent
affliction.The primary cause is the
lack of sufficient hemoglobin (red blood cells) to transport oxygen.In the thin air of higher elevation, your
body needs time to build additional hemoglobin.It takes about 3 days to make up half the deficit, with the remaining
increase strung out over time.The best
way to avoid altitude sickness, characterized by headaches and nausea, is to
stay hydrated and well-rested.This is
one of several reasons for taking frequent short breaks when doing steep
ascents.The only known cure for this
disorder is to descend to a lower elevation.

4)Dehydration – This is a chronic problem in the
backcountry, particularly on day hikes.It decreases your energy level and can contribute to the onset of
altitude sickness.Make sure you are
well-hydrated prior to starting out.Drink regularly throughout the day.The experts tell us if we wait until we are thirsty to drink we have
waited too long.If you are not stopping
periodically to urinate during the hike, you are not drinking enough
water.If your urine is dark yellow, that is a sure sign you are not drinking
adequately.The Wilderness Medicine
Institute tells us our urine should be “clear and copious”. Avoid diuretics like alcohol and caffeinated
drinks in the backcountry.They backfire
and cause the loss of liquid.

5)Hypothermia – This is a KILLER!We will never know how many drownings in the lakes of Yellowstone
were the products of hypothermia.Simply
put, hypothermia is the loss of body heat.Your body’s core temperature is lowered through excessive exposure to
cold air or water.Contrary to what many
think, hypothermia is not just a cold weather phenomenon.People have died from it in ambient air
temperatures as high as 50°F.It can easily occur in thunderstorms during
the spring, summer, and fall if you’re not prepared.It is particularly dangerous to those boating
on Yellowstone’s waters.The waters of Lewis, Shoshone, and YellowstoneLakes are quite cold, even in the middle
of summer. Immersion can be fatal!If
canoeing, hug the shore.Don’t succumb
to the temptation to shortcut bays.Strong winds can come up with very little warning. Afternoons are
notoriously deadly, with a windblown chop almost certain to develop on
virtually any day.

6)Lightning – Electric Peak
comes by its name honestly.Yellowstone gets plenty of lightning, particularly via
the afternoon thunderstorms that pop up so often in the summer.This circumstance dictates that we get an
early start when trying to go up above treeline.As far as environments where lightning is
more likely to strike than others, research continues.What we know so far is to avoid virtually any
place that makes you stand out.That
means avoid ridgetops and mountaintops.Standing in a broad flat meadow is also
ill-advised.Even standing along a
sloping ridgeline well below the summit is not a good idea.Lightning is known to follow those ridgelines
for thousands of feet.Standing under or
near a tree is a recipe for disaster.On
the other hand, broad doghair stands of lodgepole pine might be desirable.Standing along a lakeshore or river bank is
risking being “course du jour” at a barbecue.Groups should scatter somewhat.It lessens the chance of getting more than one or two people
struck.Hopefully, the unstruck can administer first aid, particularly CPR to the
victim(s).When all else fails you can
follow Lee Trevino’s advice.The veteran
PGA golfer, who has been hit by lightning twice
advises:“Hold up a 1 iron.Even God can’t hit a 1 iron.”

7)Hydrothermal
features – Beware of
thin crust and overhangs.There are so
many different ways to do yourself in.Expiring as a result of thermal burns is one
of the most painful.Yellowstone’s
backcountry hydrothermal features have claimed many lives over the years.Many hot
springs have boundary shelves that are seriously
undercut.Who knows how much weight or
vibration it will take to trigger a collapse?When approaching one of these deathtraps, do so cautiously, slowly,
deliberately surveying all 360° to maximize visibility to any
hazards.Do not get close to the
edge!There are so many bizarre
circumstances that could send you tumbling into 180 or 190°F water
if you are along the edge.A burst of
wind, an earthquake, a bee sting, having an equipment malfunction, a camera
strap failing, a clumsy companion, and all sorts of other unforeseen
developments could send you into a hot spring if you are too close to the
edge.It is not only the water
temperature that you have to beware.Some hot springs
in Yellowstone are more acidic than the
sulfuric acid in auto batteries!Then
there is thermal mud. Occasionally, someone, even geologists and researchers,
breaks through thin crust accidentally, only to discover thermal mud
beneath.What makes thermal mud
potentially more dangerous than hot water is the potential for the mud to get
between your boot and your foot or between your clothes and the air.Because of its viscosity, thermal mud takes
much longer to dissipate heat compared to hot water.Mud can literally cook your foot in your
boot.Beyond all the scary stories and
deadly possibilities, there is also the responsibility to protect the
resource.Remember that geyserite (silicon dioxide), the material that forms geyser
cones, eruptive pool rims, and occasionally delicate mineral formations in hot
springs, accumulates at an average rate of 1 inch per century!Insensitive humans can set Mother Nature back
hundreds of years with one careless step.There is also life in most hydrothermal features in Yellowstone.Biologists estimate that only 2% of the thermophilic (heat-loving) microbial life in Yellowstone’s thermal features has been catalogued.These extremophiles
have already contributed mightily to DNA identification science, the Human
Genome project, and NASA’s search for evidence of extraterrestrial life.Who knows what keys to additional medical
miracles lie waiting to be discovered in Yellowstone’s hot
springs?When
you walk among runoff channels, be careful to avoid stepping on algae beds or
bacteria mats.One last thing:If you spend enough time in Yellowstone’s
backcountry, sooner or later you will come across some researcher’s equipment
or tools.Please leave them alone.

8)Falling
trees – particularly
in times of high winds.This would be an
almost comical advisory anywhere else, however, even before the 1988 fires
falling trees had claimed lives and a substantial amount of private property in
Yellowstone.There were quite a few years ago, but they got in the habit of falling
on people and their property.Lodgepole pines have notoriously shallow root systems that
do not spread very far laterally.High
winds render them an accident waiting for a time to happen.The 1988 fires, which burned 793,880 acres in
Yellowstone, only exacerbated an already
dangerous situation.Every windstorm
seems to blow dozens, even hundreds of dead fire-burned trees across
trails.These dead snags come by their colloquial
name, “widow-maker”, honestly.

9)Avalanches – Those that venture into the
backcountry under winter conditions must be wary of these potentially fatal snowslides.By far
the best way to deal with them is by avoiding the type of conditions that produce
avalanches.Stay tuned in to the latest
avalanche condition information.The
Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center is a good source of current
information on avalanche danger.Their web site is

Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks,
like most other areas of the Northern Rockies,
have plenty of chronic avalanche zones.These are places that have experienced repeated snowslides
over the years.They are easily
distinguished by their relative lack of trees.Many fatalities occur in places that appear relatively harmless, but
suddenly an avalanche is triggered and people perish.There is an area that is prone to sliding
annually (actually, multiple times each winter) right outside Mammoth Hot
Springs.Unfortunately, the zone crosses
the Howard Eaton trail between the Hoodoos and TerraceMountain.For those skiing or snowshoeing in areas
prone to avalanche, certain items are absolute necessities.Bring a lightweight aluminum shovel designed
for backcountry use.Multi-section
avalanche probes or ski poles that convert to a probe are a must.An avalanche beacon can easily mean the
difference between a buried person living or dying.Each member of the party should have all of
these items. Snowmobilers are not immune to avalanche danger by any means.They show up on the list of fatalities each
winter, right along with out of bounds downhill skiers and snowboarders, telemark skiers, and other backcountry travelers.High-marking on steep slopes is a rather
dangerous endeavor.I’ve seen it start snowslides.We’ve
all seen depictions of avalanches being triggered by loud noises in cartoons
and movies.Don’t underestimate the
ability of 2-stroke engines to generate the sort of sound waves that fracture
the fragile bond between layers of snow.

III.)PROCESS/PROTOCOLS

A.)Pre-registration – Activity coordinators are
encouraged to require participants sign up forbackcountry activities, particularly
long day hikes and overnight trips.There are a number of reasons for this:

1)There
are limits on the number of campers allowed at virtually all backcountry
campsites in Yellowstone.Pre-registration is necessary to insure the
group does not exceed the maximum number at a given campsite.

2)There
are finite limitations on how many vehicles can fit at certain trailheads.
Pre-registration can facilitate car-pooling arrangements to cope with
this.One of the features that makesYellowstone’s day
hike opportunities so special is the number of one-way itineraries available,
providing there are multiple vehicles.Knowing how many hikers to expect assists coordinators in planning for
vehicle shuttles.

3)Advance
sign-up allows the activity coordinator to respond to questions from
participants in advance.This also
facilitates a screening process to insure that those signing up are capable of
completing the activity in a safe and timely manner.

4)It
is not unusual to have to make eleventh hour adjustments to itineraries,
particularly for day hikes.Trails are
closed periodically due to carcasses that attract bears or unexpected
maintenance issues.Weather concerns can
also manipulate the plan. If the activity coordinator has “Can Be Reached”
information, it is much easier to notify participants of necessary changes.

B.)Activity Coordinator Role/Responsibilities

1)Activity
announcement:Always err on the side of giving too much
information, rather than less, in the activity information on the
calendar.Mandatory information to be
supplied in the calendar announcement includes:

2)Communications:It is vitally important that you establish two-way communications with
prospective participants.Bare minimum, furnish either your e-mail address or a phone
number where participants can contact you to sign up for your activity.In a pre-registration scenario, you will give
participants the meeting place and meeting time info once they have committed
to attend.

3)Pre-activity
communications:This can make or break an activity.You need to be thinking and planning ahead
for that last week to 10 days prior to an activity.You may have left home and headed for Yellowstone.Many
of your participants may have done the same.As long as you have access to the Internet, you can post updates to the
trip announcement on the calendar, but keep in mind that some pre-registered
participants may not have access while on the road.The time to get “Can Be Reached” information
is at the time of pre-registration.Get
as much info from participants as possible.What campground or hotel will they be staying at?Do they have a cell phone?How about an FRS radio?Give them your cellular number if you have
one.This information swap can be
invaluable in the event something forces a change in plans.Trail closures or inclement weather may force
you to cancel or move an activity.Family emergencies, illness, or car trouble might force a participant(s)
to cancel late in the game.Remember
that there are PCs available at Mammoth in the library for public Internet
access.You can also purchase Internet
time at the Flying Pig in Gardiner.

4)Screening
participants:You owe it to the individuals that contact
you as well as the other members of the group to insure that prospective
participants are up to the task.Ask
them about previous experience in comparable activities.actor in the altitude.If the itinerary calls for a brisk pace, be
sure this person is comfortable with that.Remember that your group will be traveling in grizzly country.It is not an option to segment the group
midstream to accommodate both fast and slow participants, unless each group
would have at least 4 individuals and be comfortable being separated.

5)Day
of activity:Arrive early at meeting place.Round up the participants.It is your call on how late you wait for
late-comers.My suggestion is that
anything more than 15-20 minutes is penalizing all those that made a special
effort to be there on time.Get everyone
organized.If there are participants
that have not met each other, initiate introductions.Before departing, gather everyone together
and review protocols for the activity.A
quick review of Essentials may be appropriate, particularly easy to forget
items like hats, insect repellant, sunscreen, sunglasses.Make sure people are carrying enough water or
have a filter if water will be available on the activity.Does everyone have their pepper spray?Get a final count of participants before
hitting the trail.

C.)Participant
Roles/Responsibilities

2)Be
brutally honest in your self-assessment of your abilities and your responses to
questions posed by the activity coordinator.It may save both of you a lot of embarrassment and discomfort in the
backcountry.

3)Provide
“Can Be Reached” info as accurately as possible that applies to those last few
days before the scheduled activity.If
there is a methodology supplied to check for last minute changes, avail yourself of the opportunity and make the effort.In the event some unforeseen emergency
prevents you from participating, make every effort to get word to the activity
coordinator or one of the other participants.

4)Arrive
at the meeting place no later than the scheduled meeting time.If you are the sort of person that will sign
up for an activity, then opt out if you happen to run across a pack of wolves
or a tap-dancing moose enroute to the meeting place,
I would suggest you not sign up in the first place.Those that engage in this flighty behavior
risk acquiring a reputation that precedes them.The word will get out, and most activity coordinators will turn you away
from future activities.If you are that
fourth person necessary to reach the magic “four or more” mark or you have the
all-important second vehicle necessary for a shuttle between trailheads, you
can ruin those other participant’s day.Don’t be selfish!

5)Arrive
at the meeting place prepared.Have your
gear in a state of “trail readiness”.Review the 10 Essentials in advance.Make sure any desired comfort or optional items are along.

6)Identify
any relevant medical conditions to the activity coordinator.If they require medication, be sure to bring
it along.

7)On
overnight trips, volunteer to cover some of the cost of the $20 campsite
reservation fee.If carpooling in
someone else’s vehicle, offer to reimburse a portion of the gasoline expense.

8)Do
not wander away from the group during the activity without checking in with the
activity coordinator first.

2)The
activity coordinator should lead the group, unless the coordinator delegates
that responsibility to a veteran participant.

3)The
first several individuals on the trail should be carrying easily accessible
pepper spray in the event of an encounter with an aggressive bear.A veteran participant, equipped with pepper
spray, should take up the rear position.

4)In
a group with differing abilities, the slowest participant should be placed near
the front of the group to insure the pace being set is not too fast for them.

5)Groups
of 4 or more are highly recommended for backcountry travel in grizzly
areas.That is because no group of 3 or
more has ever been attacked by a grizzly in Yellowstone.No group of 4 or more has been attacked by a
grizzly in the northern Rockies.Certain Bear Management Areas in Yellowstone are closed to groups of less than 4.Others “recommend” groups of 4 or more.There is another reason for maintaining
groups of at least 4.In the event of a
serious injury, one person can stay with the injured party, while the other two
go for help.Anything, whether it be
personal friction or differences in ability level, that causes a splintering of
groups of 4 or more needs to be dealt with immediately.Splitting up can be
life threatening to all concerned.

6)In
overnight activities, food must be secured in accordance with NPS procedures.
Hang food high enough and far enough away from trees that bears and other
scavengers can’t access it.

7)If
canoeing or kayaking, stay together.Self-rescue in the frigid waters of Yellowstone’s
lakes may be impossible.

8)In
winter, keep an eye on each other for signs of frostbite or hypothermia.Err on the side of caution.